Retailers have begun listing our December titles, and you may have noticed something that is a bit out of the ordinary for FUNimation. OniAi: The Complete Series will be available on BD/DVD Combo on December 31st, and it will be our first ever subtitle-only release.

Now, we’ve seen some comments on the Twitterverse and on Facebook, and we want to take the time to address a few of your concerns:

“Why are you releasing this title as subtitle-only?”
We are trying out a sub-only release because it will inform us as to whether it is a viable option for titles in the future that would otherwise not get released at all. In other words, we’re looking into ADDING more releases, which is a good thing!

“Does this mean that you’re going to stop doing dubs?!”
No, we are NOT switching to a sub-only business model. Don’t worry, you’ll still get English dubs on the majority of our titles.

“Will my favorite show be released as subtitle-only? How do I make sure that it gets an English dub?”
The best way to ensure that your show gets an English dub is to support legal simulcasts and streams. We use streaming performance as one of several indicators to determine sales potential for a title. So, be sure to watch on official sites like FUNimation.com and Hulu.

In addition, we want to make sure that our sub-only titles are treated right; so we have lowered the SRP, but included both DVD and Blu-ray in the release. They’ll also be housed in a sturdy chipboard box.

Now, here’s a little more information about OniAi! The Complete Series contains all 12 episodes, plus the 6 bonus OVAs. It will also come with reversible wraps so you can put your favorite girl on the cover! Please click this link to pre-order your copy today!

Series synopsis:

Feast your eyes on host of desirable darlings in this sassy comedic romp from the dirty little minds that brought you Baka and Test and Hayate the Combat Butler!

When adorable teenager, Akiko, is reunited with her big brother, Akito, she’s determined to take her sisterly affection to the next level! But her BroCon fantasies are dealt a cruel blow by the arrival of three colorful rivals. There’s a blonde heiress with a fetish for plushies, a boyish beauty who yearns to serve, and a ravishing redhead who’ll stop at nothing to get her man! Every coy ploy Akiko dreams up is deviously derailed by robes that just happen to fall open, the flashing of come hither eyes, or scandalous splashing in the community bath! While Akiko has her hands full staying a step ahead of the competition, poor conflicted Akito can’t help but think: my little sister can’t be this…crazy!?

So, what do you think? Are subtitle-only releases something you’d like to see more of in the future?

26 Responses

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ONLY DUBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! …i know i sound like a…i dont wanna say troll…its something idk…look just dont do subs, those are what sentai does. stick to dubbing. we want that. now get to dubbing this anime. now. please.

There’s a reason Funi’s doing it. One to determine if this title is actually worthy of getting a dub, and second to lower to dubbing costs further (aside from regular streams). Whether you like it or not, sub-only releases are a norm, and actually date back as early as when anime first made it to the states, and I appreciate Funi’s decision for making a sub-only release. That way, it saves them time of just rushing over a dub.

There’s a reason Funi’s doing it. One to determine if this title is actually worthy of getting a dub, and second to lower to dubbing costs further (aside from regular streams). Whether you like it or not, sub-only releases are a norm, and actually date back as early as when anime first made it to the states, and I appreciate Funi’s decision for making a sub-only release. That way, it saves them time over just rushing over a dub.

Funi’s never going to get anything Higurashi (not even Umineko, which NIS America has now) related since the releases during the Funi/Geneon deal apparently bombed hard. Sentai’s a better suggestion since they got Familiar of Zero S4 and possible the other 3.

Discotek might get the remaining of Galaxy Express 999 since S’More entertainment (who got BoBoBo, which had a truly abysmal release) dropped it. Ditto with Slam Dunk. Those two are old Toei shows, and it seems that Discotek would make a better fit for those.

I’m not really a fan of the idea, but I get why it is done from a financial perspective. My bigger concern is that streaming the subbed version seems to be the most important factor, or at least the only one actually listed. I don’t have a lot of time to rewatch things, and I vastly prefer to watch in English, so I’m not really able to indicate my support of a series getting a dub in that manner.

Personally I’d prefer to get a dub if I can, but from a business standpoint I can see why you’d want to do it, and it sounds like a good move.
I mean, dubs give you the option to watch it in both languages, so if I prefer one or the other I can get the dub. I’ve gone back through and watched a series in both languages before just because I enjoy both tracks, it’s a nice option to have.
If this sells really well, will it get a dub later on or will it stay subbed?

I watched the entire series on Hulu and loved it! But I’m also one of those non-traditionalists that would love to see a dub of this. I prefer English dubs because I’m not the worlds fastest reader and I feel that I miss out on a lot of the story because I’m always “skimming” because conversations can move at a good pace when things get heated. I have faith that Funimation would do a great dub worth purchasing! Also, give me more Shin Chan… That is all!

For me, if I watch a subbed series and gets picked up for us release I expect there to be a dub. I’m not going to spend my money on sub only dvd/blue ray. I would understand on the business side as it would be cheaper to release a sub only version, but I would skip entirely or at least till it got dub version.

For me I hope it gets a dub so I can watch it. I have a reading issue that I have had my hole life and trying to watch a sub is really hard for me. Since I have to pause the anime every time something is said kind of takes away from the anime to watch it in still frames.

I am going to be completely honest with you, I love the sub animation of Oniai and I really want you guys to make a season 2 out of it since it was a big success in america and Europe countries like that. I also like the sub because the voices in Japanese are more interesting than English and they actually are more dramatic than the English will ever be but I don’t mind if it’s dubbed I just would prefer if it was subbed. I really want Oniai to do season 2 since the ending was giving the hint.